56 Faith-based Universities in Nigeria

Babcock University, owned by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and Madonna University, sponsored by Rev. Fr. Professor E.M.P. Edeh, are the first two faith-based universities in Nigeria licensed by the Federal Government on May 10, 1999.

These two universities were not only the first set of faith-based institutions, but they also made history as part of the first three private universities in Nigeria—alongside Igbinedion University.

Since then, they paved the way for other denominations, including Islamic organizations across Nigeria, to establish their own universities. It was therefore not surprising when the Nigerian Baptist Convention founded Bowen University in Iwo, which was licensed on July 17, 2001, by the government through the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Babcock University main entrance gate — *Main entrance of Babcock University. Credit: The Punch*

Today, there are over 56 universities in Nigeria owned by religious bodies, pastors, or Islamic leaders.

These institutions operate based on Christian or Islamic tenets and beliefs. Eight of these universities are owned or sponsored by the Catholic Church or its affiliates, making Catholicism the denomination with the highest number of faith-based universities in Nigeria. Living Faith Church Worldwide, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and the Anglican Communion each own two.

Below is a comprehensive list of faith-based universities in Nigeria, owned or sponsored by religious organizations:

S/N	Universities	Founders	Established	Host State
1	Babcock University	Seventh Day Adventist	May 10, 1999	Ilishan Remo, Ogun
2	Madonna University	Rev. Fr. Professor E.M.P Edeh (Catholic)	May 10, 1999	Okija, Anambra
3	Bowen University	Nigerian Baptist Convention	July 17, 2001	Iwo, Osun
4	Benson Idahosa University (formerly Christian Faith University)	Church of God Mission/Archbishop Margret Idahosa	February 2002	Benin-City, Edo
5	Covenant University	Living Faith Church Worldwide/ Bishop David Oyedepo	October 21, 2002	Ota, Ogun
6	Caritas University	The Catholic Mission	December 16, 2004	FCT, Abuja
7	Al-Qalam University	Katsina Islamic Foundation, Katsina	2005	Katsina
8	Bingham University	Evangelical Church Wining All, ECWA	January 5, 2005	New Karu, Nasarawa
9	Redeemer University	Redeemed Christian Church of God	January 7, 2005	Ede, Osun
10	Al-Hikman University	Abdul Raheem Oladimeji	January 7, 2005	Ilorin, Kwara
11	Crescent University	Islamic Mission for Africa	2005	Abeokuta, Ogun
12	Ajayi Crowther University	Anglican Communion of Nigeria	2005	Oyo town, Oyo
13	Crawford University	Apostolic Faith Church	2005	Igbesa, Ogun
14	University of Mkar	Church of Christ in Sudan among the Tivs, NKST	June 6, 2005	Mkar, Benue
15	Joseph Ayo Babalola University	Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide	March 6, 2006	Ikeji Arakeji, Osun
16	Obong University	Church of Christ Nigeria	May 2, 2007
17	Fountain University	Nasrul’lahi-il Fathi Society (NASFAT)	May 17, 2007	Osogbo, Osun
18	Wesley University	Methodist Church of Nigeria	May 17, 2007	Ondo town, Ondo
19	Tansian University	Reverend Msgn John Bosco Akam	May 17, 2007	Umunya, Anambra
20	Salem University	Fountain Faith Church	2007	Lokoja, Kogi
21	Bishop Godfrey Okoye University	Catholic Diocese of Enugu	November 3, 2009	Enugu, Enugu
22	Paul University	Anglican Communion, Eastern Nigeria	2009	Awka, Anambra
23	Wellspring University	Management Science Centre/Pastor Ituah Ighodalo	November 2009	Benin-City, Edo
24	Rhema University	Living Word Ministries International Covenant Union/Bro. Emma Okorie	2009	Aba, Abia
25	Glorious Vision University (formerly Samuel Adegboyega University)	The Apostolic Faith Church	March 7, 2011	Ogwa, Edo
26	Landmark University	Living Faith Church Worldwide/Bishop David Oyedepo	March 21, 2011	Omu Aran, Kwara
27	Pan African University	Opus Dei-Catholic	December 14, 2011	Epe, Lagos
28	Gregory University	Catholic	February 2012	Utua, Edo
29	Mcpherson University	Four Square Church	February 28, 2012	Seriki-Sotayo, Ogun
30	Evangel University	Assemblies of God Church	February 28, 2012	Okpoto, Ebonyi
31	Anchor University	Deeper Christian Life Ministry/Pastor William Folorunsho Kumuyi	September 2014	Ayobo, Lagos
32	Kings University	Kingsway International Christian Centre/Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo	March 4, 2015	Ode-Omu, Osun
33	St. Augustine University	The Catholic	March 5, 2015	Epe, Lagos
34	Summit University	Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria	March 5, 2015	Offa, Lagos
35	Hezekiah University	Living Christ Mission	May 29, 2015	Nkwerre, Imo
36	Mountain Top University	Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries	2015	Makogi-Oba, Ogun
37	Clifford University	Seventh Day Adventist	November 2, 2016	Owerrinta, Abia
38	Dominican University	Catholic	November 22, 2016	Samonda, Ibadan, Oyo State
39	Spiritan University	Catholic	December 6, 2017	Nneato-Isuochi, Abia
40	Precious Corner Stone University	Sword of The Spirit Ministries	December 6, 2017	Ibadan, Oyo State
41	Minaret University	Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria	April 30, 2025	Ikirun, Osun
42	Monarch University	Christ Royal Church/Bishop Tom Samson	April 30, 2025	Iyesi-Ota, Ogun
43	Muhammad Kamalud University	Ansarul-Islam Society of Nigeria	May 15, 2023	Kwara
44	Veritas University	Catholic Church in Nigeria	May 2007	Abuja
45	Coal City University	Rev. Fr. Prof. Stan Anih	2016	Enugu
46	Lighthouse University	Gospel Light International Ministries	February 2024	Evbobanosa, Edo
47	Dominion University	Bishop Taiwo Adelakun	2019	Ibadan, Oyo State
48	Claretian University of Nigeria	St. Anthony Mary Claret	February 2021	Nekede, Imo
49	Karl-Kumm University	Church of Christ in National (COCIN)	February 2021	Vom, Plateau
51	Shanahan University	The Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha	May 2023	Onitsha, Anambra
52	Maranatha University	The Living Word Revival Assembly	February 2021	Lagos
53	Peter University	Catholic dioceses of Awka and Ekwulobia	2022	Achina-Onneh, Anambra
54	Khalifa Isiyaku Rabiu University	Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu	2022	Kano
55	University on the Niger	The Diocese on the Niger	May 2023	Umunya, Anambra
56	Trinity University	Pastor (Engr.) A.B. Kolade	2019	Ogun

Stats on year of establishment

The main entrance of Ajayi Crowther University Oyo, Oyo State, Nigeria

Since the establishment of religious-based universities began in 1999, the year 2005 marked the highest number of such institutions founded in Nigeria.

The following faith-based universities were established in 2005: Al-Qalam University, Bingham University, Redeemer’s University, Al-Hikmah University, Crescent University, Ajayi Crowther University, Crawford University, and the University of Mkar. See the stats below:

1999: 2
2001: 1
2002: 2
2004: 1
2005: 8
2006: 1
2007: 5
2009: 4
2011: 3
2012: 3
2014: 1
2015: 5
2016: 2
2017: 2
2025: 2

Opeyemi Quadri

Ope is a seasoned content creation specialist and researcher with over a decade of experience writing on education, student aid, and government policies. He is deeply passionate about education-related data.

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